Australia will find it difficult to compete against India: Ajit Wadekar

February 12, 2017 |
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Mumbai [India], Feb. 12 (ANI): Predicting the upcoming four-match Test series between India and Australia to be very 'interesting', former captain Ajit Wadekar feels that the Steve Smith-led side doesn't stand a chance and it would be very difficult for them to compete against Virat Kohli and his men.
"Of course, Australia are a difficult side to play against. They have this ability of not giving up till the last ball. Having said that, I believe it would be difficult for the Steve Smith-led side to compete against India," Wadekar tells ANI.
The former aggressive batsman, who represented the national side between 1966 and 1974, believes that India have a more balanced side in comparison to the visitors, plus the home advantage would surely help the number one ranked side.
"It would be an interesting series no doubt. But still, I don't think that they would be successful in the upcoming tour. India have a balanced side. We have the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and others that makes our batting line-up very strong," he said.
The squad to be led by Smith includes six batsman, four spin bowlers, three pace bowlers, two all-rounders and a wicketkeeper.
Uncapped leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson has been named in the team to boost the spin contingent, which also includes Nathan Lyon and left-arm orthodox Ashton Agar and Steve O'Keefe.
"Australian bowling attack heavily depends on its pacers whereas wickets in India are spin-friendly. On the other side, Indian bowlers know how to bowl in subcontinent conditions," Wadekar, 75, said.
Australia, which sit at the second spot in the ICC Test Rankings following a 3-0 whitewash in their home series against Pakistan, will face a herculean task against India.
Australia have never won a Test match in India since 2004 and their last series win in Asia came against Sri Lanka in 2011.
They have since suffered nine straight Test losses in the subcontinent.
The first Test in Pune (February 23-27) would be followed by games in Bengaluru (March 4-8), Ranchi (March 16-20) and Dharamsala (March 25-29)
Australia Squad: Steve Smith (capt), David Warner, Ashton Agar, Jackson Bird, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve O'Keefe, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade (wk). (ANI)